1Password entries in the Dropbox folder itself

StayCalm

<div class="IPBDescription">.ws.agile.1Password.settings file in Dropbox folder</div>When I first tried to switch 1Password syncing from WiFi to Dropbox I began by creating a new folder called '1Password' within my Dropbox folder, and then basically treated it like a normal file being added to the Dropbox folder. Neither my iPad nor my iPod touch were able to complete the upload, and both failed at the same spot, unable to upload some particular 1Password file. This left a file named .ws.agile.1Password.settings outside Dropbox's 1Password folder, along with four obscure subdirectories within that 1Password folder. 1Password still worked fine on my iMac and MacBook Pro.



Those entries were useless, so I simply deleted them from the Dropbox folder. BIG MISTAKE! All my 1Password stuff vanished from all my computers!



Luckily, the Dropbox website was able to restore those deleted files and folders, which restored 1Password functionality to the iMac and MacBook, but did not help the iPad nor iPod.



Then I learned the right way to sync 1Password with Dropbox on the iPad and iPod. THat process went well. 1Password now works nicely on all the computers, but... that odd .ws.agile.1Password.settings file is still present in the Dropbox folder of the iPad and of the iPod.



QUESTION 1: Can I delete that file without creating another 1Password crisis?

QUESTION 2: About that 1Password folder I created within the Dropbox folder: Is it there only because I made that initial mistake connected 1Password to Dropbox?

thightower

[font="Menlo"].ws.agile.1Password.settings[/font] this has to stay if you delete it 1Password will recreate it as needed its a pointer to the keychain location.





The folder you mention may in fact be the keychain some users have inadvertantly named the keychain and removed the .agilekeychain portion. Without seeing a screen shot or something that would indicate it is an old folder I would err on the side of safety.



If you really want to get ride of it make a back up outside of dropbox for safety sake.



I would also check your 1password preferences on the general tab what is the keychain file location. mine looks like this as I have my 1password keychain inside a folder at the root level of my dropbox.



[attachment=660:Screen shot 2011-05-04 at 11.19.14 PM.png]



Before you go deleting things could you post a screen shot of even just type the location as shown in my example so we can better determine if it is an erroneous folder.

StayCalm

Here's my version of 1Password's keychain, identical to yours (except for username <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/skype_smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':-)' />. [attachment=662:Screen shot 2011-05-05 at 9.05.41 AM.png] It may be significant that the "Move to Dropbox" button is grayed out in my Preferences but not in yours.



Would it help if I sent a screenshot of the Dropbox on my iPod, showing the .settings file outside the 1Password folder? I think it must have gotten there by my clicking that "Move to Dropbox" button in my naive failed attempt make 1Password use Dropbox. I know that the Dropbox folder named 1Password got there by my simply creating it using Finder on the MackBook. It got four odd subfolders during that failed copy-to-dropbox attempt, which have since been replaced by "1Password.agilekeychain" which appeared when I did the successful switch from syncing WiFi to syncing Dropbox.



[quote name='thightower' timestamp='1304565655' post='26268']

[font="Menlo"].ws.agile.1Password.settings[/font] this has to stay if you delete it 1Password will recreate it as needed its a pointer to the keychain location.





The folder you mention may in fact be the keychain some users have inadvertantly named the keychain and removed the .agilekeychain portion. Without seeing a screen shot or something that would indicate it is an old folder I would err on the side of safety.



If you really want to get ride of it make a back up outside of dropbox for safety sake.



I would also check your 1password preferences on the general tab what is the keychain file location. mine looks like this as I have my 1password keychain inside a folder at the root level of my dropbox.



[attachment=660:Screen shot 2011-05-04 at 11.19.14 PM.png]



Before you go deleting things could you post a screen shot of even just type the location as shown in my example so we can better determine if it is an erroneous folder.

[/quote]

brenty

Hiya, StayCalm; and welcome to the forums! <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />



[quote name='StayCalm' timestamp='1304602311' post='26297']

It may be significant that the "Move to Dropbox" button is grayed out in my Preferences but not in yours.

[/quote]



Only in Tommy's case. (He is a bit of a mad scientist!) Having the button greyed out when 1Password has already moved your keychain to Dropbox is normal. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />



So to answer your questions, .ws.agile.1Password.settings is a hidden file (by default, filenames beginning with a period are hidden in OS X) whose sole purpose is to inform our mobile apps as to the location of the actual 1Password data. There should be nothing wrong with storing the data in a subfolder of your Dropbox, so long as 1Password knows it's there and can adjust the .settings file accordingly.



The 1Password.agilekeychain itself is the "data file" that 1Password uses to store all of, well, your 1Password data. On OS X, this is called a "bundle" and is treated more like a file (similar to Mac apps themselves), but it actually is a container for many other files which makes it easier for 1Password to make small changes to the database which can then be updated on Dropbox and your other devices without having to download the full keychain each time. If you don't delete anything from there, you will be fine.



It sounds like everything is working for you, though. I hope this clarifies things a bit. If there is anything else we can do for you, just ask. We are here to help! <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

StayCalm

Two new clues:

1. The Dropbox website has a list of my computers using Dropbox and it shows the MacBook twice! Screenshot: [attachment=663:My Dropbox computers.png] (I only have one MacBook Pro.)

2. The file .ws.agile.1Password.settings which shows in the Dropbox on my iPod contains only this: 1Password/1Password.agilekeychain (That file does not even appear in the Dropbox on my MacBook nor iMac--the file pointer is in 1Password > Preferences > General on the MacBook and iMac where it takes the form /Users/<me>/Dropbox/1Password/1Password.agilekeychain).



The related questions:

1. It seems like I need to eliminate one of those references to my MacBook on the Dropbox website. That's probably a question for the Dropbox folks.

2. How would 1Password on the iThings know that it should go to the Dtopbox to find the pointer which tells it to look in the Dropbox for its data??

brenty

Good questions!



I am sorry I misunderstood. I thought that you had gotten sync to work on your iThings, as you call them (hehe). We will get this taken care of for you. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />



Regarding your questions:



1. This shouldn't make a difference. It is likely just due to some changes you have made in your configuration while trying to troubleshoot this. Dropbox recognizes this as a new computer -- likely do to a folder switch or something similar. This has happened to me multiple times with Google Sync. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />



2. As I mentioned, the [font="Courier New"].ws.agile.1Password.settings[/font] is hidden by default in OS X because of the period at the beginning of the filename. The sole purpose of this file is to sit in the root of your Dropbox folder and provide the mobile apps with the relative path to your data file. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />



2b. ..which leads me to believe maybe we are barking up the wrong tree here: You don't need to use the Dropbox app at all on your iThings to sync your 1Password data! I will explain. The 1Password iOS apps have support for connecting to Dropbox built in. All you need to do (since you are successfully syncing your data with Dropbox on your Mac) is enable this on your iPad and iPod touch (variations for iPod touch version in parentheses):



[list=1]

[*]1. Launch 1Password on your iThings (I love that!)

[*]Go to (More >) Settings > Sync > Dropbox and turn Dropbox Sync ON.

[*](Enter the Master Password for 1Password on your device and turn Remember ON.)

[*]Enter your Dropbox login credentials.

[*]Enter the Master Password for your 1Password Mac data file stored in Dropbox, if necessary.

[/list]



Hopefully you are all set now! If you have any questions about this, just ask. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />



[quote name='StayCalm' timestamp='1304608152' post='26305']

Two new clues:

1. The Dropbox website has a list of my computers using Dropbox and it shows the MacBook twice! Screenshot: [attachment=663:My Dropbox computers.png] (I only have one MacBook Pro.)

2. The file .ws.agile.1Password.settings which shows in the Dropbox on my iPod contains only this: 1Password/1Password.agilekeychain (That file does not even appear in the Dropbox on my MacBook nor iMac--the file pointer is in 1Password > Preferences > General on the MacBook and iMac where it takes the form /Users/<me>/Dropbox/1Password/1Password.agilekeychain).



The related questions:

1. It seems like I need to eliminate one of those references to my MacBook on the Dropbox website. That's probably a question for the Dropbox folks.

2. How would 1Password on the iThings know that it should go to the Dtopbox to find the pointer which tells it to look in the Dropbox for its data??

[/quote]

StayCalm

[quote name='brenty' timestamp='1304616616' post='26320']

Good questions!

...

[list=1]

[*]1. Launch 1Password on your iThings (I love that!)

[*]Go to (More >) Settings > Sync > Dropbox and turn Dropbox Sync ON.

[*](Enter the Master Password for 1Password on your device and turn Remember ON.)

[*]Enter your Dropbox login credentials.

[*]Enter the Master Password for your 1Password Mac data file stored in Dropbox, if necessary.

[/list]

[/quote]



I have followed the procedure you described and both iThings (glad you like my terminology <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rolleyes:' /> ) are now syncing and working perfectly.



The .ws...settings file is still sitting out in the open on their Dropboxes. The omnipresent system file .DS_Store is also there but the .dot-prefix keeps it hidden; I don't know why it doesn't keep the .ws...settings hidden. But that's a tiny annoyance, not a real problem. I'm happy the syncing is working.



Thank you so much for sticking with me on this, brenty. After using 1P for several years this is only my second issue. Needless to say, I remain pleased and impressed with the product and with the support staff.

thightower

As to the 2 Macs linked in all actuality you probably relinked one to your account.



You can always unlink the one in question, then when you relaunch dropbox if you get a prompt to relink on your macbook you wold need to do so. When ever this happens I always unlink the one that happened to be the oldest last synced date.



I have seen this before myself. It may have been an upgrade to the dropbox client you did or such. [font="Times"][font="Times"][size="2"]I also frequent the Dropbox forums so I may see you there as well.[/size][/font][/font]

thightower

[quote name='brenty' timestamp='1304605944' post='26302']

Only in Tommy's case. (He is a bit of a mad scientist!) Having the button greyed out when 1Password has already moved your keychain to Dropbox is normal. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

[/quote]



This non greyed out button may be due to the fact I am running Dropbox's beta build ([color="#ff0000"]HIGHLY HIGHLY EXPERIMENTAL BUILD[/color])

[color="#ff0000"]

[/color]

[b][u][color="#ff0000"]This build is not recommended for users of 1Password, due to changes in the Dropbox system files. Which may / will cause issues with 1Password syncing.[/color]

[/u][/b]

brenty

[quote name='StayCalm' timestamp='1304635438' post='26368']

Thank you so much for sticking with me on this, brenty. After using 1P for several years this is only my second issue. Needless to say, I remain pleased and impressed with the product and with the support staff.

[/quote]



No way! The pleasure is mine: Thank you for such kind words! I am glad that it is working for you now. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />



That file not being hidden is indeed odd, but I guess if everything works then all is well.



Hopefully you don't ever have a third issue, but by all means feel free to just hang around with all of us forum dwellers! Having problems is not a requirement. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />



[quote name='thightower' timestamp='1304651676' post='26378']

This non greyed out button may be due to the fact I am running Dropbox's beta build ([color="#ff0000"]HIGHLY HIGHLY EXPERIMENTAL BUILD[/color])[/quote]



Did I call that or what? <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />

StayCalm

[quote name='brenty' timestamp='1304664934' post='26385']

Did I call that or what? <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />

[/quote]



[b]You sure did[/b]. Two final steps produced [b]full, final closure[/b] on this thread:



1. Using the Dropbox's built-in Move command, I moved that pointer file ".ws.agile..." into the Dropbox/1Password file. Never mind that it is now [i]inside[/i] the very folder that it points to <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' /> . The change sync'd to all my computers. Everything--including 1Password--works fine. AND that ugly little pointer filename is no longer visible at the top of my Dropbox (if I get lonely for it, I can still look inside the Dropbox/1Password folder of course).

2. Following your suggestion, I went to the Dropbox website and unlinked "the newer" of the Account's two MackBooks. Now I'm back to having only one MacBook Pro.



Perfect! Thanks again.



Jim

----

brenty

Nice! Thanks so much for following up. I am not sure how the mobile devices are able to sync without that file in the root, but perhaps once they know where to look it is no longer necessary. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' />



Anyway, you know what to do if they stop sync'ing again! <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />



I'm glad to hear it all worked out. Let us know if there's anything else we can do for you. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

StayCalm

[quote name='brenty' timestamp='1304703532' post='26442']

I am not sure how the mobile devices are able to sync without that file in the root, but perhaps once they know where to look it is no longer necessary. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' />

[/quote]



My working hypothesis was that the pointer file is no longer being used, having been put there during my first, abortive, attempt to sync via Dropbox. Furthermore, the working hypothesis assumes that the correct way of setting it up uses a different method for locating the keychain. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<_<' />



Anyway, I'm happy, and will take you up on your offer

[quote name='brenty' timestamp='1304703532' post='26442']

Anyway, you know what to do if they stop sync'ing again!

[/quote] if the need arises!

khad

Please do let us know if you need any further assistance. <img src='http://forum.agile.ws/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/skype_smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':-)' />



We are always here to help!